London, November 24 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been named as "rock star of the year" by the Rolling Stone magazine.

A brightly coloured illustration of the 73-year-old controversy laden politician graced the front cover of the magazine's Italian edition.

"Silvio Berlusconi's daily behaviour, his furious vitality, his inimitable lifestyle have given him, especially this year, incredible international popularity," the Telegraph quoted Carlo Antonelli, the magazine's editor as saying.

Antonelli added: "This year the choice was unanimous, due to a lifestyle for which the words 'rock and roll' fall short. Rod Stewart, Brian Jones, and Keith Richards in their prime were novices compared to him."

Berlusconi has been dogged by revelations about his relations with showgirls and escorts since May, when his wife, Veronica Lario, demanded a divorce after he attended the 18th birthday party of an aspiring lingerie model Noemi Letizia in Naples.

He recently faced more damage to his reputation as escort girl Patrizia D'Addario prepared to publish her memoirs, in which she claims having slept with the prime minister and provides details of a dinner at the Rome mansion, for which around 20 other starlets, actresses and escorts were apparently invited. (ANI)